With the price of eggs in the local market exceeding Rs. 70, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday held discussions with several associations including poultry producers and poultry producers in order to provide eggs to consumers at a minimum price.
These discussions were held at the Ministry of Agriculture, where the Minister requested the support of these industrialists to control the rising prices of chicken and eggs.
Minister Amaraweera said it is the Government’s responsibility to protect the local producer as well as the consumer and emphasised that if the local chicken egg manufacturers do not provide eggs at a reasonable price, they will have to import eggs.
Egg producers pointed out that they are still supplying eggs at Rs. 49 and Rs. 55 respectively and that a certain group of middlemen have worked to increase the prices by keeping eggs in storage.
However, from the end of this month, the relevant industrialists agreed to supply eggs to consumers at a price of Rs.55.
It was also agreed to send 20 lorries transporting eggs to Colombo daily and other urban areas as well. In addition, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera expressed his agreement to provide facilities to sell eggs at all economic centres and Sathosa outlets and to egg sellers and will also seek Police protection if necessary if there are threats from groups resorting to disruptive activities.
It was also discussed to initiate a proper plan in order to uplift the egg and poultry industry by May next year, even though there is some decline in the poultry industry due to the current shortage of animal feed and rising prices.
A group of officials from the Livestock Division of the Ministry of Agriculture also participated.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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